Crash-bellows for player-pianos.



F.G.LYNDE., CRASH BELLOWS FOR FLAYER PIANOS'.

I APPLICATION FILED MAY 23| 191?. 1,158,823.. Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

UNTTED sTATEs PATENT orrion .FRANK Gr. LYNDE,` OE NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO LAUTER COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

CRASH-BELLOWS FOR PLAYER-PIANOS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, FRANK Gr. LYNDE, a. citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in the city of Newark, county of'Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Crash-Bellows for Player-Pianos, of which the following is a specication.`

My invention relates in general to player pianos of the pneumatically actuated type and particularly relates to automatically regulated crash bellows of such devices.

In devices of this character the pneumatics energizing the-.hammer actions are designed to operate with a normal strike or blow when subjected to the action of a predetermined difference in air pressure or vacuum. lVhen it is desired to accent a particular note or combination of notes, or to produce what is known as a crash effect it is the usual practice to pump the actuating pedals'quickly to `increase the effective working pressure in 'the instrument but this takes some appreciable time and it is necessary for the operator to anticipate that he is to accent some particular note before the slot representing the note in the music sheet reaches the line of ducts in the tracker-bar.

With player pianos now on the market it is not possible suddenly to accent the note for it requires pumping for at least two seconds before any appreciable difference is noted in the tone of the chord or note and where rapid repeating of accented notes is required or where it is required to accent a no'te or a succession of notes while playing softly, the present known devices are ineffective.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a means for suddenly accenting the note so that a crash eectmay be produced even when the note slot in the music sheet is actually over the air duct in the tracker-bar, and when on low pressure or light wind without having to work up extra tension to-produce the crash effect.

Another object of the invention is to ease the final collapsing movement of the bellows when the pedals are suddenly pumped by the operator to accent the notes and thus eliminate the thumping or binding effector j ar usually experienced when the crash bellows is forced to the limit of its movement.-

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and in part will be more fully set forth in the following particular description of one f orm of mechanism embodying my invention,.and the invention further consists in certain new and novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the power mechanism usually positioned in the bottom part of the standard player pianos with a preferred embodiment of my invention installed therein;

`and Figs; 2 and 3 are transverse sectional views taken respectively on the lines 2-2 and 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

In the drawings there is illustrated a fragmentary portion of a piano casingl within which is demountably positioned the bellows action 2, which includes the usual long wind chest 3 extending across the piano and having a reservoir vacuum chamber l. This vacuum chamber communicates -with the various hammer action controlling valves and pneumatic (not shown) through the conduit A main bellows f5 of relatively large capacity and constituting an equaliziiig chamber parallels the wind chest on the rear side thereof and is normally held open by means of the distending springs i', which tend to cause a steady exhaustion of the air from the chamber 1 through the valve controlled p'ort S. Exhaust feeders 9 and l() are fixed to and depend from opposite Sides of the front of the chest 3, arc actuated from `the pedals 11 through suitably connecting mechanism 1Q and are provided with exhaust valves 13 opening to the outside atmosphere and with suction valves 14 opening into the chamber 4: as is usual with devices of this character.

The opening through the port 8 is controlled by means of the slidingl valve 15 which is normallymaintained in open position when the piano is' u'nder its normal working vacuum by a pneumatic 16 mounted on the' chest 3. A spring 17, preferably adjust-able, tends to hold the pneumatic in distended position and the movable side 18 of the pneumatic is suitably connected to the valve 15 by means of a reach rod 19 which extends through the top of the main bellows 6. A port 2O places the pneumatic 16 in communication with the chamber 4.

A, supplemental bellows 2l of relatively small capacit-y compared to the main bellows is mounted on the front of the chest 3 between the Feeders l) and l0 and is continuously in communication with the chamber el through the open port Q2.

bushing1 block extends through the chest Si centrally ot' the bellows 2l and is re? movably allixed to the inner member ot the bellows by means of the screws Q4. A freely movable' plunger Q5 is slidably mounted in this block` has a substantially air tight tit thereinv and has rounded ends 2t', adapted to be engaged by the movable elements'ot the main and supplemental bellows when these elements are in partially collapsed positions. To provide ready access to this plunger the portions ol the movable elements engaging the same are formed ot" removable plates 2T screwed to the outer faces ot' the elements and provided with cushions QS the ends lot' the plunger.

ln the normal operation of the instru-v ment, the yeasy or usual pumping of the pedals will rock the feeders and draw air from the chamber l which in turn will exhaust air from both the main and supplemental bellows. The external air pressure will act slowlyT on the movable clements'of the main bellows tending to collapse the same inward toward the chest 3 against thetension of the distension springs 7 and thisair pressure will act quickly on the smaller supplementary bellows to quickly collapse its movable"4 element inward toward the chest 3. lVhen a certain predetermined vacuum has been obtained in the chamber the movable elements will be in engagement with opposite ends of the loose plunger and this is the normal position of these members when the instrument is playing with its normal intensityV of sound.

A sudden actuation of the pedal will tend 4to further exhaust the remaining air in the lows.

chamber which reduction in pressure Iwill cause the pneumatic 16 to collapse against the tension of its spring 17 Aand move thev valve l5 to close communication between the chamber fl and main bellows. This contines the action of the' feeders to the chamber 4, its connected conduits, valves and pneumatics and-to the' small supplementary bel- As the capacity of these parts are relatively small compared with the capacity of thegparts when the main bellows terms .-an element thereof.y a high vacuum is' =produced in the' chamber :JL evenby' agpa'rtial. stroke of one ot the pedals with- .thefresult 'that the hammer pneumatics arepowerflully actuated and the strings given a sharp b'lmvllv ll'hile this high vacuum is present, the main bellows is closed and is in partially collapsed position due to the partial vacuum therein. This high vacuum causes the movable element o' ,the supplemental bellows .to

to bear 'bn f the supplemental bellows and connected usual with devices ot' this character permits the spring 17 to distend the bellows 16 and thus open communication between the cham ber .l and the. main bellows, and the supple mental bellows tend to assume their normal position. 1

By means of a device of this character it is possible to make the feeders of relatively high air-exhausting capacity and'to make parts ot' relatively low capacity so that any unusual or rapid sudden pedalling .Will iinmedifately produce, a high actuating pressure or vacuum in the instrument. Further a convenient yarrangement is attained by means ot' which the sudden actuation o the art Awithout departing'from the spirit of the invention. 1

Haring thus described my invention, claim:

'1. ln a device of the class described, the combination with 'a wind chest having a reservoir chamber therein, a mainl bellows with an openingvbetween said chamber. zuid bellows, a valve for controlling said opening, means operatively connected with said? Chmbel. md.operatively connected to said '12g valve to close comnmnication between the chamber and bellows when a vacuunrhigher than a normal vacuum isAV produced insaid chamber, ja. supplemental bellows continui ously in communication with said chamber, said main and suppleinentary bellows having a (,-ollapsing movement toward each other, of ii-,plunger mounted for free move- .uient between the movable elements ot said bellows .whereby-a vacuum higher than the normal vacuum tend tofurther collapsev said supplemental bellows, sai-"d main bellows constituting a cushioning device and acting through said plunger tending to ease thecl-lapsing of said suppleinentaiy bellows.

In a player piano, a unitary structure adapted to be bodily removed from the piano and comprising a wind chest having a vacuum chamber therein, amain bellows fixed to one side thereof and a supplementary bellows fixed to the opposite side thereof, said bellows being open to the vacuum chamber and having a collapsing movement towardeach other, a valve for controlling the communication between the chamber and main bellows, a pneumatic operatively connected with said chamber and governing said valve, pedal actuated feeders open to said chamber, a bushing block carried by said wind chest and a plunger slidably mounted in said block and adapted to be engaged by the bellows in their collapsing movement.

3. ln a player piano, the combination with a main bellows and a vacuum chamber exhausting therefrom and a pneumatic operatively controlled by the vacuum in said chamber for closing communication between said bellows and chamber, of a supplemental bellows of smaller capacity than said main bellows continuously in communication with said chamber, means for reducing the pressure in said vacuum chamber, and means associated with said bellows for limiting the collapsing movement of the same relative to each other.

i. In a pliyer piano, the combination with a main bellows of relatively large capacity a vacuum chamber exhausting therefrom and means operatively controlled by the vacuum in said chamber for closing communication between said bellows and chainber, of a supplemental bellows of materially smallercapacity than said main bellows in communication with said chamber and pedal controlled means for quickly reducing the pressure in said vacuum chamber and inl said supplemental bellows when the main bellows is shut off from said vacuum chamber. f

5. In a device of theclass described, the combination with a main bellows and a supplemental bellows having a collapsing mov ment toward each other of means normally open to both of said bellows for reducing air pressure in said bellows, means for closing one of said bellows when under a partial vacuum whereby said closed bellows acts as a cushioning device and a connection positioned between said cushioning device and the other of said bellows for easing the collapsing movement of said other bellows said bellows capable of a movement free of said correction. during the initial part of their collapsing movements.

6. In a player piano, the combination of a main and supplemental bellows and a vacuum chamber having relatively large ports communicating directly with both bellows whereby they may be quickly. exhausted, one

of said bellows constituting a cushioning means for resisting the collapsing movement of the other bellows and means for maintaining said cushioning means in inoperative position until a definite vacuum is present in `said vacuum chamber.

T. In a player piano, the combination of a vacuum chamber of relatively small capacity, an equalizing bellows of relatively large capacity and a supplemental bellows of relativelyismall capacity, both bellows in communicating"with the vacuum chamber, exhaust feeders for exhausting said chamber, pedals for actuating said feeders and means c/ontrolled by the sudden actuation of said pedals for automatically closing -coin-` inunication bctweensaid main bellows and said chamber whereby said feeders will vact exclusively upon said chamber and supplementary bellows of small capacity to quickly reduce the pressure therein.

S. In a player piano, a one-piece unit coniprising a long wind chest adapted toI extend across the piano and having a reservoir vacuum chamber therein of relatively small capacity, a main bellows of relatively great capacity affixed to and co-extensive with said chest on one side thereof, a plurality of exhaust feeders of relatively large capacity affixed to the opposite side of the chest, said bellows and feeders opening directly into the vacuum chamber whereby a change of pressure in the feeder promptly causes a similar change in the wind chest and main bellows and means for cutting otl2 said main bellows from said chest and feeders of large capacity.

9.' In a player piano, the combinatioi'i of a wind chest having a reservoir vacuum chamber therein. a main bellows. an exhaust feeder and a supplemental bellows` all opening directly into said vacuum chamber by' means of passageways of the least possible length and without the usev of long connecting conduits whereby the reduction of pres- 115 sure by the sudden actuation of the feeder. will promptlyl cause a corresponding rapid reduction of pressure in the main and supplcmentarwv bellows.

1 f) 10. In a player piano. the combination ot L0 a wind chest having a' main bellows mounted at one side thereof and a supplementary bellows mounted on the opposite side thereof, ports opening from both of said bellows to said wind chest. an exhaust feeder for i-e- 12 -1`o communication lbetween the mam bellows *10 and/said wind .chest whereby the 'full power ot said :teeder will be used to redueethe pressure in said wind chest and said supplementary bellows during the presence ot ay movement of said supplemental bellowfs be' ing tree ot any restraining ineaiisand antoy matic-ally actuated means for causing said main bellows to act as a cushioning means for thetinal collapsingl movement of said supplemental bellows.

12. In a player piano, the combination of a' wind chest, and anequalizing bellows` normally in open communication therewith, a supplemental bellows'.continuously in open communication with said wind.. chest, said bellows and wind chest constituting a vacu'-,

um reservo1r,-means for reducing pressure in said wind chest and in saidbellows and pneuinatically actuated means operatively controlled by the pressure in said wind chesty for automatically'reducing the volume of said reservoir affected by the pressure re-. ducing 'ineansv and ter maintaining this re-,

duced volume during the time when the pressure in said .wind chest is below afdeif'i-nitel pressure. ,l l

K 13.1n a player piano, the combination of a wind chest, and an equalizi-ngbellows noi'- mally in open eoinii'iunieation therewith, a

supplemental bellows'continuously in' open' communication with lsaid wind chest, said `bellows and wind chest constituting a vacuum. reservoir, means for reducing pressure in saidA windeliest and in said Abellows pneiiinatically actuated ni ans opeifativeljif controlled bytliepressure in said wind chest for automatically reducing the volume ot "said reservoir"ajifected'by the pressure reductliis reduced intiiitaining ing iiieansfand to when the. pressure in volume during` tlie'tii fsaid wind chest'is'lielw a dehnite pressure and means for regulating 'ylpneuinatical-ly actuated means so that twill Jbecome oper# able' at any desired pressure in the wind i feeder is working normally.v

chest.

,14. Ina player piano, 'thefe'oi'nbination 'with a bellows7 means normally opento said belloivsfor reducing pressure therein, a valve for intercepting communication'y bei tween said bellows and saidffn'ieans fand a pneumatic 'operatively controlle''l 'by the pressurel inisaidz, bellows, "for fniov-ing said valve into closing position.

l5. lira player .piano,

hy means for restoring ositi'onk for. reducing or intercepting coinpressure thereiina val f whichy might possibly be and pneumatic cushioning means1l ,n taly bellows openv to said chamberand having the combination. with a bellows; means` normally open "to'said bel lo ws iprovided iw i t thcesaaiie to fits: no rina mniiiration betweensaid bellows-and said means. a pneumatic operatively controlled by tliefpressure .in said*bellowsjlor moving said valve into closing position and ineaiisaeting on said pneumatic for restoring'said' :valve to its normal position.

1G. ln Va player piano, the combination ,with a wind chest, a bellows normally openl to said wind chest and a valve Jfor control-4 ling communication between said wind chest and said bellows and a pneumatic open directly to said wind chest and operatively connected to said valve to coiitrolysaid coinmunication. 'Y

17. In` a player piano, the combination with a wind chest springs tor-maintaining said bellows inl normal position, u bellows normally open Ato saidwind chest and a ,valve for controlling Ycommunication between said wind chest and said bellows. a

pneunnitic open. to said wind chestgand opf eratively connected to saidvalve Ito control .said communication and a spring` engaging said pneuiiiatie, tending to hold thejsaine in yposition to beffactuated by the change ot' pressure in said wind chestand means for adjusting the tension ot the spring controllingthe pneumatic. p

18. In` a player piano, a vacuum reservoir having a variable \olii1nea tension' feeder 'for reducing pressure in said reservoir, and

means aijitoinatically controlled Aby the sudden reduction of pressure in said `reservoir for .reducing lthe volume ot lthe reservoir atlected by the Aa. -V tion of said tension Jeei'lers wlierel y a sildden vactuation ot the tension. feeder will ca use a sudden reduction in pressure in said reservoir otl reduced volume.

i9. In a player piano. 'a vacuum reservoir. having a variable volume.v a tension feeder for reducing ,pressure in said reservoir, valvesl automatically1 controlled by the reduction ot pressure in diicii'igthe yolume ofthe reservoir affected by the action of said tension feeders where-v by la sudden actuation ot the tension feeder 'will cause a sudden reduction in pressure in said reservoir .of reduced volume and means tending to restore said reservoir'to its nor-A mal enlarged. volume when 'said j tension A'in -communieating` with the vacuum chambei; a va'lv-e foruclosing said bellows whereby the' sainejis caused to constitute a closed a supplemena movement toward said'cushioning means and la spacingff plunger said cushioning means and said reservoir tor reheld resiliently byY adapted to ease,

les

the' inoveinentof said supplemental bellows toward the said cushioning, means. i

i,15s,s23 5 .in a player piano, an automatically `Alieu mechanism tor actuating the vapneuniatic devices of the piano, a "uaily actuated lmeans 'for energizing cclianism, said mechanism including on of said mechanism whereby a a eilect. may be produced by the sudden actuation oit 'the pneumatic.

.in player piano, the combination of an equalizing chamber havinga. part on one side of said support, piemental bellows having a movaon the opposite side of' said sup- Her slidabiy mountedin said opposite ends of said plunger to be engaged by said movable linut the movement ot the parts tola other, means'act-ing on one of ra: s rendi ig to move the same and vcti on the otherl part tending to is movement, n a player piano, the combination of 'l "t having a vacuni'n chamber, an Lamberallixed to one side ot and having a side movable relaaid chest, a supplemental bellows i, to the opposite side ot' said chest, and lia-img a. side thci'eoiI movable relative to lo said chest, ports providing c'onnnunication between said vacuum chamber and said bellows and equalizing chamber, whereby said sides are moved toward the chest by the reduction of pressure in the vacuum chamber, a plunger slidably mounted in said chest with one end thereof positioned in said bellows Anig chamber, said movable sides `olunger in their movement toward the chest whereby said plunger limits the collapsing i lvement of the said sides toward each other and means co-acting with said equalizchamber for restraining the movement -io or said plunger.

ln a player piano, the combination of a, wind chest having a vacuum chamber of tively small capacity, a main bellows or' tively large capacity, a supplemental ows of' relatively small capacity, both .ows normally open to said vacuum chama vacuum producing means of relatively e capacity connected to said vacuum aber, automatic means for cutting oil iid main bellows oi' large capacity from e nmunication with the vacuunn`4 chamber .vnereby the vacuum producing .'i'neans or large capacity are caused to operate solely upon 'the vacuum chamber and supplemencontrolled'by an abnormally forceful and the other end positioned in said 3d to engage opposite ends ot said 'tive tosaid chest,v a supplemental bellows atlixed to the opposite side of said chest, and having a side thereof movable relative to said chest, ports providing communication between said vacuum chamber and said bellows and equalizing chamber, whereby said sides are moved toward the chest by the reduction of pressure in the vacuum chamber, a plunger slidably mounted in said chest with one end thereof positioned in said bellows and tho other end positioned in said equalizing chamber, said movable sides adapted to engage opposite ends of 'said plunger in their movement toward the chest whereby said plunger limits the collapsing movement of the said sides toward each other and a valve for closing communication between said equalizing chamber and said vacuum chamber whereby the movable side of the equalizing chamber is caused to form a cushioning deviceto restrain the plunger and thus ease the collapsing movement of the supplemental bellows.

2G. In a player piano, the combination with a bellows, means normally open to said bellows for reducing pressure therein, a slidably mounted valve for intercepting communication between said bellows and said means, a pneumatic continuously open to said means, said pneumatic including` a movable side and a connection between said side and said valve tonctuate the same.

27. In a player piano, the combination with a bellows, means normally open to said bellows for reducing` pressure ther in, a valve mounted for vertical movement and in its lowered position adapted to intercept communication between said bellows and means, a pneumatic open to' said means, a spring acting on said pneumatic to dist-end the same and raise said valve to open communication between said bellows and mea-ns, the reduction ot pressure in said pneumatic acting against said spring to permit the lowering of said valve.

Signed at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of .New Jersey, this twenty-inist day of May, A. D. 1914:.

FRANK G. LYNDE.

Viitnesses c B. Carens, H. R, Benign. 

